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Health care, tax reform among issues discussed at candidate forum
By Bridget Thoreson
Journal Times
RACINE — Health care and tax reform were the favored issues among local candidates at a political forum Monday evening.
About 40 people went to the nearly two-hour forum at the Racine Urban League, 718 N. Memorial Drive. Candidates running for office in the 1st Congressional District, which includes Racine and Kenosha counties, were invited. The candidates gave five-minute speeches, followed by questions from the audience.
The highest-level race represented Monday was for the district’s congressional seat. Two Democratic candidates, one Libertarian candidate and one man who described himself as a write-in Republican candidate attended the forum. U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., did not attend, and neither did Democratic candidate Mike Hebert of Kenosha.
Democrat Paulette Garin of Kenosha said she was running because she wanted to give back to the community. She said she supported a comprehensive, not-for-profit universal health care program, quality public education and green technologies and renewable sources of energy. She said the government must pay workers a living wage, not just minimum wage, close unfair tax loopholes and end the war in Iraq.
Her Democratic opponent, Marge Krupp of Pleasant Prairie, said she knew people were losing their jobs and homes in tough economic times, and she could do the job necessary to help.
“This is my home, and it’s just a shame the people here and across the district are in such pain,” Krupp said. “I know how to take a knife in the back with the best of them and come back swinging.”
“I think it’s time for us to leave Iraq,” Kexel said. “It’s up to them to run their own government.”
In response to an audience question, all the candidates said they supported immigration reform, although they pointed out the need for a balance so U.S. workers were not hurt by changes.
Other races
Although the congressional race was one focus of the evening, candidates in other local races also made their cases Monday. Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, whose district includes Burlington, continued one of the evening’s major themes by stating that local people have been overwhelmed with health insurance problems. He said the Healthy Wisconsin plan introduced in the Senate would save Kenosha and Racine county residents money.
“It is a way of getting better health insurance for less money,” Wirch said.
The challengers to several Racine County incumbents also attended. Keith Deschler, the Libertarian candidate running against Cory Mason, D-Racine, in the 62nd Assembly District, said he was running to stand up for constitutional principles. He said he wanted to cut the budget, and suggested making cuts to the wealthiest school districts and getting nonviolent offenders out of prison.
Linda Flashinski, the Democratic candidate running against Robin Vos, R-Caledonia, in the 63rd Assembly District, said action needed to be taken on health care reform. She said she would want to create jobs, work toward new forms of energy, fix the state and national infrastructure and adequately support public schools by calling for an end to revenue caps and the QEO.
George Meyers, the Libertarian candidate running against Rep. Bob Turner, D-Racine, said he was running for smaller government.
Two Democratic candidates for Racine County Clerk attended the forum. Lisa Van Koningsveld said her experience working in child-care administration would translate well into the county clerk’s office. Theresa Cotton-Kendrick, who has worked as a legislative secretary for the county since 1995, said she would enforce the laws and make sure all county residents were treated equally and equitably.
In response to an audience question about what candidates would bring to the clerk position that was not already present, Cotton-Kendrick said she would like to increase the awareness of cultural diversity. She cited an instance where she had to ask someone outside the clerk’s office to translate a marriage license for a Hispanic couple. Van Koningsveld echoed the importance of diversity, and also said she would bring a fresh outlook to a government position.
The four candidates for Kenosha County Clerk also attended the forum, along with Rep. John Steinbrink, D-Pleasant Prairie.
“It’s exciting to see so many candidates, people who want to serve, in both Kenosha and Racine,” said Yolanda Adams, chief executive officer of the Urban League of Racine and Kenosha and the state director for the League of Latin American Citizens. “There’s a lot of new people out there, new names on yard signs.”
The urban league sponsored the event with the Hispanic Business Alliance, and co-sponsors for the event included Voces de la Frontera and LULAC councils 320 and 325.
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